Getting Ready for Spring Cleaning
Before we tackle the wintery build-up of grime, there is a lot to do. If we start cleaning without proper preparation and a plan in mind, we get discouraged quickly and might abandon the whole spring cleaning project half-way through.
So it’s vital to get ready beforehand. Here are the tasks to do now so that spring cleaning will go over quickly, easily and without a hitch!
1. Declutter Your Home
Hoarding is a compulsive mental disorder where an individual finds it extremely difficult or even impossible to discard their possessions, collecting more and more belongings. Hoarders like seen on the popular TV show Hoarders are rare, but most of us will admit to hanging on to our possessions. There are many tips for decluttering your home and stop hoarding on a regular basis.
Everyone should declutter their home at least once a year. Research suggests that decluttering our homes can help our mental health by allowing us to focus on what’s important and relax, leading to reduced stress and anxiety levels.
2. Wash Everything
And I mean - everything!
Our tablecloths and placemats collect a lot of dust, and we should wash them at least twice a year. If the covers of pillows in your living room and bedrooms are removable, they also deserve a good wash, as do your curtains. If you can wash your area rugs, bath mats and shower curtains, you should do so.
Always make sure to check the label if the item is machine washable. Anything that you can’t throw in the washing machine, you should shake out thoroughly outside to remove any dust and loose debris. Carpets, area rugs, bath mats and upholstery can be vacuumed with the right attachments to remove all dust and dirt. You might also want to consider a professional, eco-friendly carpet cleaning.
3. Clear Out and Clean Fridge and Freezer
When was the last time you cleaned your fridge? What about your freezer? If your answer is somewhere between “Five years ago.” and “Never!”, then now is the perfect time.
Remove all items. Frozen products can be stored in a chest cooler until you are done. Thaw the ice from the freezer, and clean all compartments and shelves with soapy warm water. Before putting everything back into the appliances, check for expired products and discard them. Organize everything in a way that lets you see quickly and easily what you have at hand, and with the upcoming expiration date at the front.
4. Clean Appliances Inside and Out
Just like our fridges and freezers, our other appliances should be cleaned on a regular basis for their longevity and our health. So tackle your oven! You don’t need harmful chemicals either - our SuperScub Powder is a natural scouring powder that’s perfect for eco-friendly oven cleaning!
5. Muck Out the Junk Drawer(s)
We all have that one drawer (or several!) where we put everything that doesn’t have any other place in our homes. Again, this is one of those jobs that seems insignificant (and easy to hide away) when you’re doing a big day of cleaning. But if left undone, it can lead to the accumulation of unnecessary cluttered junk and take away storage space.
6. Make a Checklist for Spring Cleaning
Organizing with lists is a good way to take stock of what you need to do. You’ll also get a sense of accomplishment after you check tasks off as ‘done’.
Start by dividing your home into rooms, and big rooms into more manageable sections. In every room, separate the work into areas such as overhead cabinets or drawers, and finally divide them into individual tasks.
7. Prepare Your Tools
Last but not least, make a list of all the cleaning supplies you will need, and make sure you will have all of them at hand for your spring clean. Some basics include a good HEPA vacuum cleaner (make sure it’s in great working order with an empty bag/filter), cleaning cloths (preferably microfiber), sponges and a mop (again, microfiber if possible). You might also need a step ladder.
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